Garth Brooks, Sanders earn OSU accolades
Institution names sports, music celebrities to Hall of Fame during homecoming celebration

BY NATHAN POPPE Comments 4
Published: October 18, 2009

STILLWATER — Although Garth Brooks is the No.-1-selling solo artist in the U.S., he still has some competition.

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Halfway through Oklahoma State University’s Homecoming parade Saturday afternoon, Brooks said he heard a woman yell, "You will always be No.1” through all the screaming onlookers in Stillwater.

Brooks said he lifted his arm to wave to her, but the woman finished her sentence with the words, "Barry Sanders.”

Sanders and Robin Ventura, both OSU alumni, joined Brooks Saturday for induction into the OSU Alumni Hall of Fame and to act as grand marshals at the OSU Homecoming parade. Brooks called himself the "old guy” at an OSU news conference as he recalled memories of seeing Heisman winner Sanders on the football field and college hitting-streak record holder Ventura at the baseball diamond.

Sanders said he remembered Brooks being a legend in Stillwater before he got to OSU, but Brooks said that he was overwhelmed by being next to Sanders and Ventura.

"It’s not a statement of modesty or humbleness; it’s a statement of truth,” Brooks said with a smile. "I am here today to get this picture (with Sanders and Ventura). I’m lucky to be standing with this level of (achievers).”

It has been a week of returns for Brooks. Besides visiting Stillwater this week, Brooks ended his retirement Thursday.

Brooks said fans have a lot to do with him returning to music.

"The sweetest love in the world is somebody that looks at you, doesn’t know you, but believes in you almost as much as your mom did,” Brooks said.

Brooks said his family has also gotten excited about him performing again.

"I’m (bothering them) all the time,” Brooks said. "So, they are going to be happy that I’m out of town.”

Brooks said it’s a challenge keeping up with his three daughters, and he’s looking forward to getting more sleep while he is on the road.

Brooks will begin playing Dec. 11 at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. Brooks said he doesn’t know for sure what will happen to his career after playing at Wynn.

Brooks isn’t only concerned with playing music in Las Vegas. He said he wants to bring the spotlight to OSU and to come back to OSU when every sport has equal, strong support.

Brooks ended the news conference with thoughts of the recent football spirit song, "Cowboys Forever.”

"That’s what I am and that’s what I became today,” Brooks said. "That’s a great feeling and if we instill that in our kids now, I think it helps our alumni program later. I can’t think of anything else that will stand the test of time.”